My grandparents never made a point of lecturing my brothers and I on what they were doing. They taught by example and I think that's the most powerful instruction. We knew to do what we saw our parents and grandparents doing: taking responsibility for the community in which we live.  My family demonstrated dedication to the community by giving generously to my church in Pittsburg, PA where I used to live.  My grandparents, uncle and aunt served on the boards of diverse community organizations.

Now that my children are 2 and 4 I just started going to a church in Harlem, New York where they have a food kitchen and feed the hungry.  This thanksgiving I have a friend that just officially joined the church as of December 2008.  For thanksgiving I didn't have babysitting so I brought my children along and we helped serve the homeless and hungry.  My children are 2 and 4 but they were giving out soda's rolls and fruit to the people that were online.  I really wanted to volunteer I thought it would really give us an opportunity to see how our kids behave when they're not simply following instructions. "They needed and deserved the opportunity to grow on their own."
My children saw the people that were in need and I taught them that everyone doesn't have everything they need and that's why even though I am not in the position to give alot, I donated $65.00 to the homeless shelters this thanksgiving.  And for service on Thanksgiving, each of my children gave $5 for the collection plate.  My son and daughter felt so proud that they were helping people that now they have learned the concept of sharing with each other which is a great postitive accomplishment considering that they used to fight over toys.  Last week we were on the train and my 2 year old son say a homeless man passing and asked me to give the man some money so he can get something to eat.  The whole car started clapping at the young boy.  I pulled half of the $10 that I had and gave it to my son.  He said to the man "Here you can get some cookies and milk".  People were so inspired by my son, that almost the whole train car pulled out money in their pockets to give to the homeless man.  My children have inspired me in a way I have never been.  I just wanted to volunteer with my friend for thanksgiving but I didn't have a babysitter and it was such a positive experience, and made such a positive impact on my children that this christmas we are going to volunteer again and my children will be right there to help with any small jobs that's available.  They learned the gift of giving, a lesson many people don't learn until they are much older.